Purple Muscat Grape (*Vitis vinifera*) var. Muscat violet, Antique botanical print by Bessa (c.1801-1819)

French Cultivated Grapes (Violet Muscat) — A Deep Cluster in Blue-Purple and Plum Tones

This original early 19th-century botanical engraving depicts Vitis vinifera as a cultivated French variety identified in the plate as Muscat violet. The composition presents a generous cluster of grapes suspended beneath a broad, deeply lobed leaf, arranged with clarity and balance against an open field of white space.

The visual strength of this plate lies in its chromatic depth. Bessa renders the grapes in layered tones of blue-purple, plum, and muted indigo, subtly enlivened by cool highlights. The result is a fruit cluster that feels ripe, weighty, and almost tactile, with each berry individually articulated yet fully integrated into the whole.

Issued as part of Arbres et Arbustes, this engraving exemplifies the period’s fascination with cultivated vineyard varieties, where colour and form were used not only for identification but also for visual impact and decorative presence.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The composition is organised around a strong vertical rhythm: the dense grape cluster descends in a compact, tapering form, counterbalanced by the broad, angular leaf above. This interplay between rounded fruit and sharply veined foliage creates a dynamic yet stable visual structure.

Fine stipple engraving combined with exceptionally fresh hand-colouring produces a luminous surface with notable depth. The darker palette amplifies the sculptural modelling of the grapes, giving the plate a bold presence that reads powerfully even from a distance.

About the Subject

The plate is identified in the original publication as a cultivated grapevine variety:

• Scientific name: Vitis vinifera
• Category: Vigne cultivée (cultivated vine)
• Variety (as printed): Muscat violet

Compared to lighter Muscat varieties, the Muscat violet is characterised here by its darker skin and saturated tones, qualities that Bessa exploits to explore depth, contrast, and the visual weight of mature fruit.

Condition Report

The engraving is in exceptionally fine antique condition, close to near like brand new. The original hand-colouring remains fresh and vibrant. A narrow strip of very light toning is visible along the left outer margin, entirely outside the plate mark and not affecting the image. No watermark has been observed. The engraved credits “P. Bessa pinx.” and “Gabriel sculp.” are present.

Details

• Artist: Pancrace Bessa
• Engraver: Gabriel
• Work / Publication: Arbres et Arbustes
• Period: early 19th century (c. 1801–1819)
• Technique: Original hand-colored engraving
• Paper: Original period paper
• Watermark: None observed
• Sheet size: approx. 40 × 25 cm

For insight into Bessa’s distinctive hand-colouring techniques, see our editorial feature on Pancrace Bessa:

Pancrace Bessa: the Naturalist Painter of Botanical Grace